This paper attempts to clarify the concepts and principles of citizen economic empowerment. Empowerment has been at the centre of a shift in thinking about economic development as a response to the failure of modernisation and trickle down economics

This paper attempts to clarify the concepts and principles of citizen economic empowerment. Empowerment has been at the centre of a shift in thinking about economic development as a response to the failure of modernisation and trickle down economics. To be empowered, it is important to be aware of one\'s own capabilities and creative energies. Empowerment is as much about taking charge of the process of making decisions, as it is about achievement of empowerment goals. Government, therefore, should not impose empowerment from above, because empowerment has to be an objective the individual must strive to achieve. There is a difference between entitlements (hand-outs) and empowerment. International experience shows that entitlements create dependency. In discussing who needs to be empowered, this paper argues for the empowerment of those who are disempowered, including the disabled, children, the elderly, women, the poor and the unemployed. Because education and training are fundamental to citizen economic empowerment, they should be reformed to promote creativity and competitiveness. Finally, the paper provides a definition and an operational strategy for achieving citizen economic empowerment in Botswana.

The Think Tank has been steadily progressing positively over the past few years. In the 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, BIDPA ranked fifth, whilst in 2013, 2012 and 2011 the institute was ranked tenth, twelfth and twenty ninth respectively.
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The Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA) has called on Bank of Botswana (BoB) to tighten the screws on commercial banks. In a recently released special briefing reviewing the bank charges in Botswana, BIDPA said as the regulator, the..Read more

Despite impressive performance at the beginning, Botswana has experienced declining beef export competitiveness since the mid 1970s, experts have observed. In a recent working paper titled ‘Export Competitiveness of Botswana’s Beef Industry’ published by ..Read more